How long should I study Chinese in BLCU?

Hello Everyone!

I'm finally back home after more than 4 months of study in Beijing Language and Culture University, or shall we say 1 semester. It has been a very rich and cultural experience for me. I did not only get to explore the beauty of Chinese people, the Chinese language and China itself, but I also met loads of amazing people from all over the world who are excellent in so many ways possible.

Basing from my experience, I would want to give you an idea on how long it should take you to study Chinese in BLCU.

Before I went to Beijing, I literally knew almost 0 Chinese. Yes, I grew up in a Chinese Community and learned Mandarin Chinese when I was in elementary, but the words I really knew by heart were less than 20 characters. I arrived in Beijing and felt like I was in another planet... And no I'm not kidding.

It may or may not surprise you, but you cannot use English in Beijing, unless you speak to your classmates or to students taking up English Majors. The teachers, restaurant personnel, drivers, store owners, EVERYONE else you see speaks in Chinese. Although this may sound horrible, but this was the most helpful part for me. The environment itself will push you to learn Chinese. I believe that there's no quicker way to learn than this method.

So, how many days did it take me to finally speak a bit in Chinese? It's actually surprising that after a week in class, and you go to a restaurant, you'd be able to call the waiter, ask for the menu, and then ask for the bill in Chinese. You'll learn to say How much? and Can you make it cheaper? when you go into the clothing market. You'll be able to say Hello to your teacher, say you're present and understand when the teacher says open your book to page so on and so forth. In the first weeks, you'll learn in class how to read the Chinese Pinyin, so you don't confuse the b with the p sound, the g with the k sound etc. It requires daily practice and it may become boring in some days but little do you know that you're actually learning Chinese!

Let me clarify that in the first month you will but learn the very basics of the Chinese language. It can only make you survive. At this point, you'll realize that there's more than 5000 words you need to learn, but you just have to keep motivated. Keep the fire burning. I was taught that if you learn and master even 800 words, you are already considered fluent and able in daily conversations.

After 1 semester of Intensive Chinese study, with several meet ups with my Chinese friend and several exposures to different people I met in Beijing, I can say I am very happy with the results. Although my Chinese is still just slightly above the beginner level, I know I can do what I want, ask for what I want and go where ever I want to now using the words I learnt in BLCU. I flew all by myself from Beijing to Xiamen and it was nice to know I could even understand airport terms.

Maybe you'll think that 1 semester or 4 months of Chinese study is too long, but when you go to Beijing, you'll realize how fast time flies. Beijing is such a fun place! Before you know it, it's time to go back and face your old life.

I honestly think that in order to fully master what you've learned, 1 school year is recommended (around 9 months) of learning. 1 semester though is just enough to get a good foundation of Chinese. If you already have some knowledge in Mandarin Chinese, you can always take the short term courses (3 - 12 weeks) depending on you're preference. Language learning is all about practicing and using what you've learned.

Have you studied Chinese in BLCU before? If not, do you plan to study Chinese? For how long?  :)